RESIDENTS of a South Lakeland town have been tickled pink by their green success after being named best town in Cumbria in a horticulture competition.

Ulverston's overall award in the Cumbria in Bloom competition was supported by outstanding contributions from various groups in the town.

Ulverston in Bloom received the 'gold standard' - signifying horticultural excellence - after amassing an impressive 93 points out of 100.

Among the other star performers were the town's business improvement district, which was handed a silver gilt, and Friends of Lightburn Park, which was deemed to be 'thriving'.

Kim Farr, chairman of Ulverston in Bloom, a voluntary group that looks after planting in the town, said: "It was nice to get a good response to a lot of the things we're trying to do around biodiversity and providing habitats for nature.

"We have made a big effort this year along those lines.

"It's not just about making the town look beautiful, although making the town look good for visitors and residents is important, but it's about making the town a good place for pollinating insects and birds, generally supporting nature as part of our mitigation of the climate change problem."

Certificates were handed out during a ceremony at The Orangery café at St Mary's Hospice in the town.

Elsewhere, Friends of Cark Station was deemed 'outstanding'.

The Cumbria in Bloom awards, which are part of the Royal Horticultural Society's Britain in Bloom awards, are being handed out in stages due to a reluctance in some areas to hold large gatherings amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.